For too long, mainstream fitness spaces have presented a narrow definition of what an “athletic body” looks like — one that fails to reflect the diversity of people who show up, move, and engage in fitness every day. While brands push messages of inclusivity, their instructor lineups and marketing visuals often don’t include plus size fitness.
Dr. Rachel Millner is here to change that.
A psychologist, avid Peloton rider, and the creator of Revolutionize Your Ride, Dr. Rachel isn’t just riding—she’s making a statement.
Her goal is to become Peloton’s first plus size cycling instructor, continuing to break the stigma around what fitness looks like. However, Peloton, like most mainstream workout brands, has not fully embraced broader options of plus size fitness and true body diversity in coaching rosters.
Why Revolutionize Your Ride Proves Plus Size Fitness Representation Matters
The fitness industry has a habit of framing exercise as a tool for weight loss rather than a practice of self-care and empowerment. This narrative has actively discouraged plus size fitness and larger bodies from seeing themselves as part of the movement.
Lauryn: Can you give the easiest synopsis of Revolutionize Your Ride for anyone who may not be familiar with it?
Dr. Rachel: “Revolutionize Your Ride is about trying to challenge the stereotypes about fitness and remind people that fitness comes in all shapes and sizes, and that you can’t tell how fit somebody is by looking at them. We’re trying to create a more inclusive and diverse fitness space, specifically in Peloton.”
Lauryn: Why Peloton? What made you choose that company as the focus of your mission?
Dr. Rachel: “Yeah, so my story with Peloton is that I got a Peloton at the beginning of the pandemic, and it was something I’d never done before, but I really fell in love with it and started riding. And as much as I enjoyed it, I just was frustrated because there are no bike instructors in larger bodies. There’s a really fantastic rowing instructor, Ash Pryor, who’s in a plus size body, but for the bike, they don’t have any plus size instructors, and it was frustrating to be riding and the only people teaching classes are in smaller bodies. So that’s why I set off on this mission with Peloton, specifically.”
The issue is not just about fitness—it’s about who gets to be seen as an expert, as an authority, as someone worth following.
From Passion to a Full-On Revolution of Movement
Becoming a Peloton instructor isn’t as simple as applying for the job. The company recruits talent through invite-only auditions, meaning Dr. Rachel has had to take an unconventional route to get their attention.
Lauryn: How did you start pushing for Peloton to recognize plus size instructors?
Dr. Rachel: “Once I realized that I loved the Peloton, and I got really into riding it, and was, you know, feeling frustrated, I started to look into, like, how do you actually become a Peloton instructor, and what’s the path to do that? And especially knowing that I’m trying to, like, break into something and do something different, and figure out, like, how to get their attention and show them that there’s a real market for plus size riders.”
Her campaign isn’t just about getting a job—it’s about proving a point.
What’s Next? From Peloton to the Plus Strut
Dr. Rachel isn’t stopping at Peloton. She was recently named an official Body Confidence Coach by Nike and Dove, a major milestone in her mission to push for true inclusivity in fitness. She’s also in talks to be part of The Plus Strut, a curvy 5K event in Atlanta.
Lauryn: What’s the biggest takeaway you want plus size people to have about fitness?
Dr. Rachel: “Be gentle with yourselves. It’s hard right now. It’s hard to be in a plus size body in this world. The world is stressful, so be gentle with yourself. Be kind. Do a little at a time, whatever feels right. But there’s no reason to punish yourself or come down hard on yourself. Just be as gentle as you can with yourself.”
Emma reinforced that point. “Know your point of difference. What are you bringing to the table that nobody else is doing? Because the industry is exploding, and it’s not just enough to say, ‘I’m a plus size’ designer anymore.”
That’s the message Dr. Rachel is hoping to take to Peloton. But whether or not they listen, one thing is certain: plus size people deserve more than token representation. They deserve leadership roles, visibility, and respect.
And Dr. Rachel isn’t waiting for permission.
The PR Powerhouse Betting on Plus Size Fitness With Revolutionize Your Ride
To amplify her movement, Dr. Rachel teamed up with Emma Medeiros, who describes her firm, Medeiros Fashion PR, as the first U.S. public relations company dedicated to plus size fashion.
Lauryn: Emma, what led you to create a PR firm that specializes in plus size clients?
Emma Medeiros: “I really assumed, I mean, because already, what, ten years ago, or whatever, the plus size industry was exploding, and I assumed, especially in, like, New York and Boston and all these huge cities, that I would have my pick of firms to work for that specialize in the plus size industry. I looked everywhere I could think of. I mean, I’m talking, I spent a good two and a half, three months looking through every database, every website, everything I could find. And I was like, really? Not a single PR firm was specializing in it.”
Her approach to PR is clear:
“My job is to tell the world how fabulous my clients are. Their job is to be fabulous—like Dr. Rachel.”
This team is working hard to build their brand and add to the growing list of plus size influencers paving change for #bodypositive spaces.
Lizzo & The Power of Plus Size Influence
The conversation around plus size visibility has always been complicated, and Lizzo’s recent rebrand has reignited debate.
Lauryn: What are your thoughts on Lizzo’s recent campaign where she spray-painted over an old image of herself and wrote “BYE, BITCH”?
Dr. Rachel: “It’s a really good question, and one that we could probably talk about for a long time. It’s a hard one to summarize. I do have a lot of feelings and opinions about it. I think that I have no idea what it is like to live as a fat Black woman in the public eye the way that Lizzo has. So I am not here to ever judge or comment on what any person does with their own body, and certainly not what someone like Lizzo does with her body.”
She paused before adding, “What I do think, generally, is that there is no way to show your body going from a larger body to a smaller body without promoting the idea that smaller is better.”
While Lizzo’s personal journey is hers to define, her campaign highlights the power of visuals and messaging in mainstream media. The way bodies are presented—whether through fitness campaigns, music videos, or athletic branding—has a lasting impact on public perception.
That’s exactly why Dr. Rachel is making sure the message about plus size fitness and bodies is clear and positive. With Revolutionize Your Ride, she’s creating the inclusive fitness imagery that has long been missing—one that says plus size bodies don’t just deserve to exist in fitness spaces; they deserve to lead them.
Join the Revolution: How to Connect with Dr. Rachel & Emma
Follow the “Revolutionize Your Ride” journey and connect with Dr. Rachel on Instagram:
For Plus Size PR inquiries or to learn more about Emma Medeiros’ work, visit:
• Medeiros Fashion PR • @medeirosfashionpr
What’s your experience with plus size fitness? Let us know in the comments!
